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Yuri’s House of Chords, is a place that harbors excerpts from recorded conversations curated with music, flowing wine, and flower amid whirling thoughts of poignant “aha” moments. I’m Christina Kotlar Turchyn, your host and docent as we enter the world of a working musician’s heart and soul and the Halls of Mirrors in the labyrinth of the music industry. Yuri was a critical thinker, precision musical composer, and arranger. A poetic lyricist, he articulated the times, places, and emotions that go with the flow. It’s been quite the ride.
We start at the beginning: Episode 1, The Early Years Kinderhook Creek, 1973-75, delving into founding member of Kinderhook Creek, Yuri Turchyn’s voice recordings, and insights from Jerry Kopychuk, founding member and fellow bandmate. The conversation takes us to their musical influences from the 1960s and ’70s folk music, Buffalo Springfield, and the Beach Boys.
Originally an acoustic quartet, the founding members who eventually decided on who was going to play what instrument were Yuri Turchyn, lead and rhythm guitar, fiddle, and vocals; Jerry Kopychuk, lead and rhythm guitar, banjo, vocals; Andy Fediw, bass, vocals; and Stan Taylor, pedal steel. The band’s name changed from Pickleweed to Kinderhook Creek. They practiced harmonies and how to sing with one another. The influences most notably came from the Beach Boys, Pet Sounds–a seminal album of bold exploration and experimentation with sound and vocal arrangements.
In 1974, Craig Barry joined the band on drums and vocals, along with confident, lively lead guitarist Joe Breitenbach and his penchant for The Who and Led Zeppelin. Within a year, an unprecedented appearance was made as the only unsigned band to perform at the Schaefer Summer Music Festival in Central Park. On July 30th, 1975, only two years after they came together through practiced rehearsals establishing their voice, Kinderhook Creek opened for Poco before a crowd of twenty-five thousand. Their wildly successful performance increased their legendary following and popularity, especially at the Jersey Shore.
Soon after, factions began to surface.
From left, Andy Fediw, Joe Breitenbach (with long hair), Stan Taylor, Jerry Kopychuk, Yuri Turchyn
